Vicky Barton Dramatherapist

I have over 20 years’ experience working with children and young people as a Qualified Secondary Teacher and as a Dramatherapist which is a creative form of psychotherapy. 

I have experience over many years working in a variety of settings including educational, community, private practice and mental health. I have worked in the NHS / Social services with looked after children, adoption and special guardianship and worked alongside CAMhs (Child and Adolescent mental health service) practitioners. I am also a trustee and trainer for True Butterflies which a domestic abuse charity. I am also a Suicide First aider. 

I have enhanced DBS, completed all levels of safeguarding and adhere to all the regulations set out by the Health and Care professional council (HCPC) and British Association of Dramatherapy (BADTH.)

My training as a Dramatherapist has provided me with an in-depth understanding of child development and all aspects of children’s mental health. I am always continuing to develop my practise and are continually working on professional development every month. 

I am trained to closely observe and interpret both verbal and non-verbal, conscious and unconscious communication. I am trained to work with the body and this aspect is very different from talking therapy. Truama is held in the body but the brain not be able to logically understand why the body is being triggered. This includes all sensory aspects.

I’ve had many young people over the years disclose all kinds of trauma from separating parents, bullying in school to sexual and domestic violence within the home. Whatever that particular child or young person had/was experiencing effected their everyday life considerably. Some struggled with shame and low self-esteem, some struggled with relationships, some just could not cope and would revert to self-harming, drugs and alcohol to help numb their emotional responses, some were excluded or who permanently in trouble both within school and outside and some were so quiet they would become unnoticed. 

These young people in their own way were showing the outside world they were struggling. 

Working with children, play is an essential part of how they develop, learn and communicate. It is impossible when working with children of any age and in any capacity not to notice how important drama and play is to their everyday life. Drama and play are a crucial part of healthy human development, and it is for this reason that Dramatherapy can be an effective form of intervention to help troubled children and young people. 

When children and young people are faced with difficulties it may be hard for them to express their feelings in a verbal way, but through the creative mediums of drama, play, story, art, music and movement, Dramatherapy can help them to be understood and can promote their emotional and social wellbeing.

As a Dramatherapist I am trained in understanding the conscious and unconscious communication of young people. Through the relationship the young person is able to experience a secure and trusting relationship in which to explore and find an understanding of their experiences. I have experience with working with children/young people with attachment difficulties.

As a Dramatherapist I gained a master’s degree from Roehampton University, London. I am a person-centred therapist regulated by the HCPC and BADth and attend regular supervision. I use Carl Rogers 'Core conditions’ as a basis for my work. These ‘core' conditions are 'empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard’ (Rogers, C 1952). This means the child is at the centre of the work and I work alongside the young person to explore their internal world how they wish too. This might be through drama and the metaphor, but it may also be through artwork, sand tray, singing, writing, text, movement and playing with a range of different toys. Children are creative and I work alongside their creativity to help them use their chosen medium to help them find a resolution/coherent story and understanding.

I am trained in Attachment theory, Trauma and Child development. 

Both in my private practice and my freelance work in organisations I have a wide range of toys, figures, puppets, masks, costumes, props, games, art materials and tactile materials for use in Dramatherapy sessions I can provide one to one, small group, sibling group, parent & child and family Dramatherapy both privately at my practice and on a freelance basis to schools, clinics and organisations.

All Creative Art therapist have to be supervised as set out by the regulations of HCPC. Confidential is still held but the therapist talks about the work with their supervisor, so the therapist work is always safe and reflected on.  I have regularly supervision with Di Gammage.